Anti-Bullying Act 2026: How Malaysia’s new law protects students from cyberbullying and psychological harm
LET us talk about “Aiman”. He is a bright student, consistently topping his class in Science and Mathematics. But the bell for Pendidikan Jasmani and Kesihatan signals the start of his weekly nightmare.
Aiman is overweight and struggles to run like the other boys. During sessions, he is the last to finish, panting heavily even after that. It doesn’t stop at the field. Exhausted from the physical exertion, Aiman dozes off in his next class.
A “friend” snaps a picture of him sleeping, mouth slightly open and posts it on Facebook and TikTok. The caption is cruel, the comments worse. It goes viral overnight.
Now, the smart boy who loves learning refuses to put on his uniform. He hates school. He would rather stay home than face the whispers. Aiman isn’t physically beaten but he is broken.
This story is a fictional one but there are many people like Aiman whose voices are not heard.
When I saw the Facebook post of our king, granting the royal assent to the Anti-Bullying Act 2026, I was overjoyed. It is a monumental step for students like Aiman.
For too long, cases like his were dismissed as “just teasing” or “online drama”. This Act changes the narrative completely by recognising that the scars we cannot see are just as damaging as the ones we can.
Understanding modern bullying
What would make this Act truly powerful is its specific definitions. Under Clause 3(1), bullying is now legally defined as any wilful act that causes “physical, psychological or social harm” to a victim. This directly protects Aiman, whose suffering is psychological and social rather than physical.
The Act is also incredibly forward-thinking regarding the method of bullying. In Aiman’s story, the damage was done via a smartphone. Clause 3(2)(e) explicitly includes acts committed through ”electronic or digital communication” as a form of bullying.
Furthermore, Clause 3(2)(c) covers acts intended to “socially isolate a victim, damage the reputation of a victim or to create a hostile environment”.
The viral photo did exactly this, it damaged Aiman’s reputation and created a hostile environment that pushed him out of school.
Previously, schools may have claimed they couldn’t act on a Facebook post made after hours.
The new Act closes this gap. It mandates that educational institutions establish a specific committee to prevent and manage such cases.
Call to action: No more excuses
More importantly, if the school fails to act or if the bullying is complex, there is now a tribunal for anti-bullying. Under Clause 29, this tribunal has the jurisdiction to hear complaints even if the bullying incident occurs outside the supervision of the school, provided the victim is a student. This means the viral post, regardless of where or when it was uploaded, falls under the law’s reach.
However, a powerful law comes with the responsibility of proper usage. The Anti-Bullying Act 2026 is a shield for the vulnerable, not a weapon for petty grievances or false accusations. It must not be misused. The legislation anticipates this by establishing strict checks and balances.
Kudos to the government for catalysing this. We are moving in the right direction but a law is only as good as its execution. This Act gives us the legal boundaries we desperately need but it is up to us to enforce them.
Parents, teachers and classmates must come forward. We must use these new channels, the committees and tribunal to stand up for the “Aiman” in our midst. Bullying is a serious matter, and now we have the serious legislation to match it. Let us make sure it doesn’t stay as just a great idea but becomes the shield that keeps our children safe.
Dr Naveen Nair Gangadaran is a paediatrician, a committee member of the Malaysian Paediatric Association and Perinatal Society Malaysia. Comments: [email protected]
